Leading multinational teams: strategies for success

Abstract

In today's globalised corporate world, multinational teams are a key driver of organisational success, but managing them is not without any challenges. This paper explores how cultural differences towards hierarchy, communication, tie, urgency, and self-expression influence the overall team collaboration, and what leaders can do to transform these differences into strengths. Based on interviews with leaders and team members from the real estate and news media industry, the study identifies the importance of adaptive leadership, culturally sensitive communication, and the ability to foster a sense of psychological safety as primary while working within a multinational team. It shows that successful leaders don't use one-size-fit-all approaches, they listen, adapt, and work to bridge cultural differences. The paper give several practical recommendations for organisations, such as investing in cultural intelligence training, establishing clear and inclusive communication norms, and adapting conflict resolution strategies to cultural expectations. This study, by using real-world insights and academic research, aims to help and equip current and future leaders with tools they will need to lead multinational teams with confidence, empathy and effectiveness.